Getting a 2-year-old through an art walk

We decided to head down to Columbia's Artista Vista during the early evening yesterday with Jr. in tow.  The spring air hugged us like a comfortable cardigan as we walked up and down Gervais Street checking out the galleries.  I found lots of potential art gifts for Mother's Day my upcoming anniversary, and just because you love me.

One of our stops was at If Art Gallery, which is owned by one of my favorite European transplants, Wim Roefs (seen having an extremely serious conversation in the above photo).  He is currently showing works by Carl Blair, a Greenville, SC artist.  Blair's work expressive and other-worldly, especially his sculptures. 

Wim also carries works by other local artists, including our mutual friend, Marcelo Novo, whose art I took a passing snapshot of last night!  I went a little crazy with the iPhone, and pushing a stroller doesn't add quality to a shot, sorry.

We also stopped into Carol Saunders Gallery to see Elizabeth Foster, who had already sold quite a bit by the time we arrived.  Think naturalism meets optimism.  Beautiful work.  I wanted to get a photo of her piece that has birds flying and carrying a nest with red sashes, but I was having a hard time with the glare.  Her work had been gaining national attention, and she is definitely one to watch.

Bonnie Goldberg's work was on display at Nonnah's.  She is one of the AboutFACE artists whose work was available at the Soirèe du Soleil last week.  She is beautiful and talented and I have plans to chat with her soon, so stay tuned!  The work above would make a lovely hostess present, by the way, so let me know if you want to bring it over! 

So, how on earth did we get a 2-year-old through all of this?  Well, we're lucky... he really likes jazz music.  And ice cream.  The Spring Valley High School jazz ensemble was playing on Lincoln Street, so with promises of music and ice cream, he was a perfect angel and charmed everyone.  So much so that he fell asleep as soon as we returned home for some wine and tapas on the patio!